Operations
Panel to Take Closely Watched Vote on Atlantic Coast Pipeline Station
A massive winter storm delayed a closely watched vote in Virginia on a natural gas pipeline compressor station that's been the frequent target of protests. Dominion Energy needs the State Air Pollution Control Board to sign off on a permit to build a station in Buckingham County to pump gas through the planned Atlantic Coast Pipeline.
Keeping Up with the Times: Mechanical Grooved Couplings Still Deliver
It is not often that looking backward provides insight into the future, but examining the evolution of the world’s first mechanical coupling can give us an indication of what lies ahead.
Gas Remains Key to UK Energy
Gas is a key element of the U.K.’s energy mix, but the closure of Centrica’s Rough long-term storage facility last year reduced U.K. gas storage to only 14 days of capacity, compared with 87 in France, 69 in Germany and 59 in Italy.
Senstar
Senstar introduced the FiberPatrol FP7000 fiber-optic pipeline integrity monitoring system for both gas and liquid-carrying pipelines. It can also be used for fence-mounted intrusion detection.
Improving Methane Emissions from Natural Gas Transmission, Storage
Interstate natural gas transmission companies are committed to minimizing methane emissions. This article explains methane emission sources for the transmission and storage sector and the basis for emissions commitments that INGAA members have voluntarily adopted.
The Future Arrives: Virtual Reality Safety Training
Companies such as Peoples Gas & North Shore Gas Company have begun to explore virtual reality platforms to supplement traditional gas meter safety and inspection training.
Feds Open Criminal Probe into Natural Gas Explosions
Federal prosecutors are conducting a criminal investigation into the natural gas explosions and fires that rocked three communities north of Boston in September.
NuStar Energy Agrees to Sell Its European Operations to Inter Pipeline
NuStar Energy agreed to sell its European terminals and related assets to Inter Pipeline’s European storage subsidiary, Inter Terminals, for $270 million.
Evacuation Lifted after California Gas Pipeline Scare
Emergency crews extinguished a fire burning dangerously close to a Chevron underground natural gas pipeline Thursday and lifted an evacuation order that had forced some 4,000 residents from their homes the night before.
Evacuation Ordered Near Chevron Gas Storage Fire
A fire that ignited in an underground natural gas storage area in the San Francisco Bay Area prompted the evacuation of thousands of residents, as Chevron emergency crews worked Thursday to purge gas from a pipeline and prevent an explosion, officials said.
GITA's Limbruner sees Bright Future for Sector
Mark Limbruner, the current president of the Geospacial Information & Technology Association (GITA), shares his perspective after three decades in the geospatial industry.
GE's Avitas Gains First BLVOS Approval after Shell Oil Study
Avitas Systems, a GE venture, received the first civil approval to fly an unmanned aerial vehicle with radar beyond visual line of site (BVLOS) after a successful study with Shell Oil, marking an important step toward long-range pipeline monitoring with drones.
Firefighters Sue SoCal Gas over Aliso Canyon Leak
Firefighters who worked in and around the site of a massive natural gas leak have sued Southern California Gas Co., alleging the utility knowingly let them be exposed to dangerous levels of toxic chemicals.
Nigeria Pipeline Explodes, Killing 19; Oil Thieves Suspected Cause
A Nigerian official says at least 19 people are dead after a leaking oil pipeline exploded in the southeast, while villagers say the toll is higher.
Canada Pipeline Blast Risks Washington Natural Gas Shortage
A pipeline explosion in British Columbia risks cutting off the flow of Canadian natural gas to Washington State, and companies are urging customers to conserve.
Gas Line Rupture Prompts Evacuation in British Columbia
A natural gas transmission pipeline ruptured in a rural area north of Prince George in the Canadian province of British Columbia, prompting precautionary evacuations, pipeline owner and operator Enbridge said.
Open Season Launched for Plantation Pipeline Expansion
Kinder Morgan today started an binding open season to solicit commitments for the Roanoke Expansion project on the Plantation Pipe Line System.
Thermon
Thermon introduced its TraceNet™Genesis Control & Monitoring System, a new solution for managing heat-trace circuit performance on process lines, tanks and instrumentation. The system allows instant access to comprehensive information, including circuit performance history, fault analysis, and circuit drawings.
Leak Detection Challenges on Crude Gathering, Produced Water Networks
A review of the four main leak detection methods and their abilities to overcome the unique challenges of crude oil gathering networks and produced water pipelines.
You Do Leak Detection, but Do You have Breach Detection?
Pipeline companies invest considerable effort preventing, detecting, and responding to leak incidents, but are they investing enough effort preventing, detecting, and responding to cybersecurity incidents? Since, in principle, a cyber-incident could lead to a leak incident, companies should consider breach detection as part of their overall leak prevention program.
Controlling and Stopping Flow in Polyethylene (PE) Natural Gas Pipelines
While there are several established ways to control and stop flow in PE pipes, new techniques have emerged and are worth considering. Here are some options and the advantages and disadvantages that should help you in evaluating the best method for your PE pipeline.
A Look at Government’s Role in Pipeline Safety, Maintenance
As existing U.S. pipeline infrastructure ages and new projects face increased public scrutiny, it’s important that measures are in place to ensure safe operations. Here's an overview of the role government plays in making pipelines the safest way to annually transport 16.2 billion barrels of liquid products and over 25 Tcf of natural gas.
Asset Integrity Through On-Site Chemical Monitoring
The safe and profitable operation of maturing assets is a global concern, and one that has been intensified by the continued focus on cost efficiencies.
Drones: Flights of Fancy or Future of the Energy Industry?
As wildfires again ravaged much of California and other western states, energy industry responders could hardly imagine how their counterparts dealt with similar disasters just a few years ago without drones.
Strategy Shaped by Volatility
Among major supply factors, deferred maintenance continues to challenge global production. Maintenance is especially critical in basins with aging asset infrastructure, as recently evidenced by the crack in the North Sea Forties pipeline.
Insuring Against Liabilities Can Be Tricky
Despite the great overall success of the American energy industry, problems do exist and happen on a near-daily level. While rail accidents occur with more regularity, pipeline spills can actually have more devastating effects.
Natural Gas Flow Calibration Perspective
It may not be immediately apparent, but the three natural gas metering technologies – orifice, ultrasonic, and Coriolis – have been intertwined for the past 25 years. The advantages created by progress in one technology have been applied to the others as new technologies have continued to evolve.
Machinery Torsional Issues in Pipeline Stations
The torsional issues and problems reported for pipeline machineries, such as gas compressor trains and pump trains, can sometimes cause operational problems, even damages or failure.
Siemens Passes 100th Reciprocating Compressor Order from Permian Customer
With this latest order for 11 HOS compressors, the Permian Basin customer has ordered a total of 106 high-speed reciprocating compressors from Dresser-Rand business Siemens since 2012.
Ashcroft
Ashcroft introduced redesigned differential pressure gauges that offer higher static pressure ratings, improved accuracy and all-welded construction that can withstand line pressures up to 580 psi.
- Phillips 66 to Shut LA Oil Refinery, Ending Major Gasoline Output Amid Supply Concerns
- Trump Aims to Revive 1,200-Mile Keystone XL Pipeline Despite Major Challenges
- FERC Sides with Williams in Texas-Louisiana Pipeline Dispute with Energy Transfer
- Valero Considers All Options, Including Sale, for California Refineries Amid Regulatory Pressure
- U.S. Appeals Court Blocks Kinder Morgan’s Tennessee Pipeline Permits
- U.S. LNG Export Growth Faces Uncertainty as Trump’s Tariff Proposal Looms, Analysts Say
- Marathon Oil to Lay Off Over 500 Texas Workers Ahead of ConocoPhillips Merger
- Valero Considers All Options, Including Sale, for California Refineries Amid Regulatory Pressure
- Another Major U.S. Oil Refinery Shutting Down as Lyondell Confirms Houston Closure
- Chevron CEO Wirth Under Fire as Hess Deal Delay Drags Down Stock Performance
